The Kantamanto Fire: A Devastating Blow to Ghana’s Informal Economy and the Global Secondhand Clothing Trade

The recent fire that ravaged Ghana’s Kantamanto Market has left thousands without their primary source of income, exposing the fragile and unprotected nature of informal economies in the Global South. While questions remain about the fire’s origin, the market’s vulnerabilities—exacerbated by its unregulated growth—highlight the urgent need for stronger governance and social protection systems. This tragedy also raises critical questions about the role of global fashion brands in the export of secondhand clothes to markets like Kantamanto, and their responsibility in safeguarding the workers who rely on this trade.